Genesis 50:24

KJV

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} said {H559} unto his brethren {H251}, I die {H4191}: and God {H430} will surely {H6485} visit {H6485} you, and bring you out {H5927} of this land {H776} unto the land {H776} which he sware {H7650} to Abraham {H85}, to Isaac {H3327}, and to Jacob {H3290}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef said to his brothers, "I am dying. But God will surely remember you and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

American Standard Version

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joseph's final words to his brothers in Genesis 50:24 serve as a profound testament to his unwavering faith and a powerful prophetic assurance. Despite his impending death and their comfortable, albeit temporary, sojourn in Egypt, Joseph declares with certainty that God will faithfully "visit" them—intervening purposefully and powerfully—to fulfill His ancient, unshakeable covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by delivering their descendants from Egypt and bringing them into the promised land of Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 50:24 occurs at the very end of the book of Genesis, serving as Joseph's final testament and a pivotal bridge to the book of Exodus. Following the death and burial of Jacob, Joseph reassures his brothers of his forgiveness and God's providential care (Genesis 50:15-21). His dying words then shift the narrative focus from the family's present comfort and security in Goshen to the future fulfillment of God's covenant promises. This statement, coupled with his request for his bones to be carried out of Egypt (Genesis 50:25), underscores the provisional nature of their stay in Egypt and points firmly towards their ultimate destiny in the Promised Land. It is a final act of faith and a prophetic declaration that sets the stage for the dramatic events of the Exodus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Joseph's death, the Israelites had been living in Egypt for decades, enjoying prosperity and protection under Joseph's influence. This period of peace, however, was a temporary phase in God's larger redemptive plan. In the ancient Near East, deathbed pronouncements often carried significant weight, serving as final blessings, instructions, or prophecies for the family's future. Joseph's declaration aligns with this tradition, providing a crucial spiritual anchor for his family. The concept of a "promised land" was central to the identity and hope of the patriarchal families, rooted in God's sworn oaths. Joseph's words would have resonated deeply with a people who, despite their current comfort, understood their true inheritance lay elsewhere, in the land promised to their forefathers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout Genesis and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to the promises made to [Abraham](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promise to Abraham"), [Isaac](/genesis/26-3-4 "God Renews the Covenant with Isaac"), and [Jacob](/genesis/28-13-15 "Jacob's Dream and God's Promise"). It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, showing God's active orchestration of history, even through periods of hardship and long waiting, to bring His purposes to fruition. Joseph's words also exemplify **Faith in the Unseen**, as he trusts God's future action beyond his own lifetime and current circumstances, echoing the faith of the patriarchs described in [Hebrews 11](/hebrews/11 "The Faith Chapter"). Finally, it underscores the **Generational Continuity of God's Plan**, where promises made to one generation are carried forward and fulfilled in subsequent ones, linking the patriarchal narratives to the future nation of Israel and the [Exodus](/exodus/1-1-15 "The Enslavement of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural form, used here with a singular verb, refers specifically to the supreme God, the Creator and Covenant-Keeper. Its use here emphasizes the ultimate divine authority and power behind the promise, assuring that it is not merely Joseph's wish but a decree from the sovereign Lord who is mighty and exceeding in His ability to fulfill His word.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** Joseph's stark declaration "I die" uses a primitive root meaning "to die" literally. This acknowledgment of his own mortality serves as a powerful contrast to the enduring, living God who "will surely visit" them. It highlights the fleeting nature of human life and leadership versus the eternal, unchanging faithfulness of God, who transcends generations and individual lives to bring His purposes to pass.
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This verb is crucial. While it can mean to inspect or punish, in this context, it signifies God's attentive, purposeful, and redemptive intervention. It implies God will "attend to," "care for," and actively "muster" or "charge" Himself with their deliverance. The doubling of the verb (a Hebrew idiom for emphasis, "surely visit") underscores the certainty and intentionality of God's future action, pointing directly to the powerful divine intervention that would lead to the Exodus.
* **sware (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to seven oneself," implying a complete or binding declaration, this word refers to God's solemn oath or covenant. The use of "sware" emphasizes the absolute, unbreakable nature of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land. It highlights that the land promise is not a mere suggestion but a divinely guaranteed commitment, sealed by God's own integrity and faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die:"** Joseph, now aged 110, acknowledges his impending death, a natural end to his remarkable life. This personal statement of mortality serves as a poignant setup for the greater, eternal truth he is about to declare, shifting the focus from his own finite existence to God's infinite faithfulness.
* **"and God will surely visit you,"** This is the core of Joseph's prophecy. The emphatic Hebrew construction "surely visit" (פקד יפקד, _paqod yipqod_) underscores the absolute certainty and intentionality of God's future intervention. It is a promise that God will not forget them but will actively and powerfully intervene on their behalf, a divine visitation for deliverance and fulfillment of His promises.
* **"and bring you out of this land"** This clause specifies the nature of God's "visitation"—it will involve a physical exodus. "This land" refers to Egypt, where they had prospered but which was not their ultimate inheritance. This foreshadows the dramatic liberation from Egyptian bondage that would occur centuries later under Moses.
* **"unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."** This final phrase grounds Joseph's prophecy firmly in the foundational covenant promises made to the patriarchs. The "land" refers to Canaan, the Promised Land. By invoking the names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Joseph reminds his brothers that their future deliverance is not a new idea but the culmination of a divine oath, a sacred commitment passed down through generations, ensuring God's faithfulness to His ancestral covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Prophecy** is central, as Joseph's dying words foretell a future event—the Exodus—that would occur centuries later. This highlights God's omniscience and His ability to reveal and bring about His plans across vast spans of time. The phrase "God will surely visit you" uses an emphatic verbal construction (an infinitive absolute followed by a finite verb, _paqod yipqod_), which serves as a powerful form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute certainty and divine resolve behind God's promise. There is also clear **Covenant Language**, particularly in the reference to the land "which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob," directly echoing the foundational promises of the Abrahamic Covenant. Finally, the entire statement functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the narrative stage for the book of Exodus and the subsequent history of Israel's journey to the Promised Land, demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout salvation history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's final prophecy is a profound declaration of God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. It underscores that God's promises are not contingent on human circumstances or even the death of key figures, but on His own immutable character and sovereign will. Despite the comfort and security the Israelites enjoyed in Egypt, Joseph directs their gaze beyond their immediate prosperity to God's ultimate design—their return to the land promised to their forefathers. This passage powerfully illustrates divine providence, showing God's active hand in orchestrating history, preparing a people for their inheritance, and ensuring that His sworn word will be fulfilled, no matter how long the wait or how challenging the intervening circumstances. It serves as a timeless reminder that God's plan is generational, transcending individual lives and extending through the ages to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

* [Exodus 3:16-17](/exodus/3-16-17 "God Promises to Visit Israel and Bring Them Out of Egypt") - God explicitly tells Moses He has "surely visited" His people and will bring them out of Egypt to the Promised Land.
* [Hebrews 11:22](/hebrews/11-22 "Joseph's Faith Regarding the Exodus") - Joseph is commended for his faith in the context of the Exodus, specifically for his instruction concerning his bones, which stemmed from this prophecy.
* [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1-5 "God's Promise of Return from Exile") - Reiterates God's faithfulness to gather His people back to the land He promised, even after dispersion, reinforcing the enduring nature of the land covenant.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's dying declaration in Genesis 50:24 offers immense encouragement and a vital lesson for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a steadfast, long-sighted faith that trusts in God's promises even when their fulfillment seems distant, unlikely, or when our current circumstances, though comfortable, are not His ultimate destination for us. Like Joseph, we are to live with an awareness that our present dwelling place might be temporary, and our true inheritance lies in God's ultimate plan. This passage challenges us to look beyond immediate gratification or security and to anchor our hope in God's eternal faithfulness. It assures us that God "visits" His people—He actively intervenes, cares, and orchestrates events to bring His purposes to fruition in His perfect timing. Our faith, therefore, should extend beyond our own lifetime, trusting that God will complete the good work He has begun, not just in our lives but also in the grand narrative of His redemptive plan for the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's faith, expressed on his deathbed, challenge your perspective on God's timing and the fulfillment of His promises?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a "temporary land" where God might be preparing you for a future "promised land" or a deeper spiritual inheritance?**
* **How can remembering God's covenant faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob strengthen your trust in His promises for your own life today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live with a more profound sense of God's "visitation" and active involvement in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does Joseph mean by "God will surely visit you"?**

Answer: The Hebrew phrase "surely visit" (פקד יפקד, _paqod yipqod_) uses the verb _paqad_ emphatically. In this context, it signifies God's active, purposeful, and redemptive intervention on behalf of His people. It means God will attend to their needs, remember His covenant, and come to deliver and fulfill His promises. It is a direct prophecy of the future [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/3-7-10 "God Hears Israel's Cry and Promises Deliverance"), where God would indeed "visit" them with mighty acts of salvation.

**Why was Joseph's request about his bones so significant?**

Answer: Joseph's request in [Genesis 50:25](/genesis/50-25 "Joseph's Dying Request") that his bones be carried out of Egypt and buried in the Promised Land was a profound, tangible expression of his unwavering faith. It demonstrated his conviction that God would indeed fulfill His covenant promise to bring Israel into Canaan, even if it happened long after his death. This act served as a constant, physical reminder to his descendants of their ultimate destination and God's faithfulness. It was a testament that their true home was not in Egypt, but in the land God had sworn to their forefathers, a request faithfully honored by Moses during the [Exodus](/exodus/13-19 "Moses Carries Joseph's Bones").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's prophecy of God's "visitation" and the ultimate return to the promised land finds its most profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Exodus brought physical deliverance to a physical land, Christ's advent is the supreme "visitation" of God to humanity, the very embodiment of God dwelling among His people ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). He is the true and ultimate "land" of spiritual rest and eternal inheritance for all believers, fulfilling all of God's covenant promises, for "in Him every one of God’s promises is a 'Yes'" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ secures not merely an earthly inheritance but an eternal one, a heavenly country ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Abraham's Heavenly Hope")), establishing a new and better covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Just as Joseph's bones pointed to a future hope, Christ's resurrection is the guarantee of our future resurrection and our eternal dwelling with God in the true Promised Land, the New Heavens and New Earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "The New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 35:12

And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

Exodus 3:16

¶ Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt:

Exodus 3:17

And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Genesis 28:13

And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.

Genesis 48:21

And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.